Good news! Living with a urostomy doesn’t have to mean giving up your favourite drinks. In fact, most urostomates find they can still have what they enjoy, from tea and coffee to fruit juices and smoothies – even their favourite tipple – as long as they also take in enough water to keep hydrated. Everyone needs sufficient water to remain healthy.
Why is hydration so important?
Our bodies lose water throughout the day in sweat, wee and in small amounts when we breathe, so we need to get adequate fluids from the food and drink we consume.
Drinking enough of the right fluids – of which water is best – helps prevent dehydration, maintains your kidney function and skin health.
As drinking plenty of water can reduce the bacterial concentration in your wee, it may lower your chances of developing a urinary tract infection (UTI). See our Managing UTIs video and UTI information page for more advice about this.
How will I know if I’m dehydrated?
Recognising the signs that you’re becoming dehydrated will help you act swiftly to avoid experiencing any issues. The best way of confirming your hydration status is checking the colour of the wee in your bag. As a guide, aim for pale straw colour as this means you are probably drinking enough. If your wee is darker, you need to drink more water.
Other signs of dehydration:
- Less wee in your bag than normal
- Headache/feeling lightheaded
- Feeling thirsty
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Muscle and stomach cramps
- Poor concentration
- Nausea/vomiting
Always talk to your GP or stoma nurse if you have any questions about the colour of your wee or notice anything strange.
How much should I be drinking?
People with a urostomy are usually advised to drink 2 to 3 litres (70 – 106 fl oz) of fluid a day. You might need to increase this in very warm weather or if you are exercising a lot. If you have any other medical conditions, such as heart or kidney problems, seek advice from your GP before increasing your fluid intake.
To help you maintain a proactive approach, follow our tips for staying hydrated with a urostomy:
Track your fluid intake
Keeping track of how much you drink can help you to ensure you are getting enough. If you have a smartphone, you could use one of the many apps available to help with this. Every time you drink something, just enter the ‘oz’ or ‘ml’ into the app and it will track it for you. If you prefer using pen and paper, you could record your intake in a journal.
Keep a water bottle on hand
Carrying a water bottle with you is not only convenient, it’s a great way to remind yourself to drink regularly. Having a bottle readily available, you’re more likely to take sips throughout the day, rather than waiting until you feel dehydrated.
What’s best to drink?
For hydration, nothing beats drinking plain water but sometimes it can get a little boring. You could ring the changes by adding slices of cucumber, or lemon, lime or other fruits. Choosing carbonated water instead of still can also make a refreshing change.
Fruit juices, smoothies and other soft drinks can contribute to hydration, but bear in mind that many contain high amounts of sugar. Some urostomates choose to dilute sports drinks with water to minimise the sugar content.
Too much caffeine can have a diuretic effect, leading to dehydration in the long run. So if you like tea and/or coffee, stick to just a few cuppas or opt for decaffeinated instead. You could also choose herbal teas.
Alcohol is another diuretic, so while it’s usually fine to enjoy a beer, a glass of wine or your favourite cocktail, try to avoid consuming too much.
What about food?
Choosing your fruits and vegetables wisely can give your hydration a boost. Many have very high water content, which can make a difference. For example, watermelon and strawberries are both over 90 percent water, cucumbers are almost entirely water, and bell peppers have high water content also.
Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables to get the most out of your hydration efforts.
What are electrolytes and why are they important?
Electrolytes are minerals such as magnesium, potassium, sodium and calcium that help control various bodily functions. When you’re dehydrated, the balance of electrolytes in your body can become disrupted, which can lead to muscle cramps, dizziness, fatigue and other symptoms.
Eating bananas, spinach, potatoes, yoghurts and salmon can help replenish your electrolytes. There are also special drinks available called rehydration solutions, such as Dioralyte or St Mark’s Solution. These contain electrolytes and can be made up and sipped throughout the day. Again, if you have any heart or kidney problems seek advice from your GP before increasing this type of food or starting electrolyte supplements.
And finally….
Staying hydrated may be easier for some people than for others. You may feel like you’re unable to drink enough fluid without disrupting your day. However, hydration is essential, so while it may take some getting used to, you should continue drinking plenty of fluids.
If you have any concerns about hydration or fluid intake, do contact your GP or stoma care nurse for advice.